UTSA baseball swept Wichita State University 9-2, 16-8, 5-1, over the weekend at Eck Stadium.
While they still have matchups against conference heavyweights looming, the Roadrunners (28-9, 10-2 AAC) have been quietly taking care of business. UTSA embarked on a two-week road stretch that concluded with a sweep of the hosting Shockers (12-22, 4-8 AAC). Wichita State led for three innings across the entire weekend, beyond that, it was all ‘Runners.
Game one
UTSA took its first lead of the series off a bases-clearing RBI double from senior infielder Norris McClure. The Shockers cut into their deficit with scattered runs in the fifth and sixth innings, before the Roadrunners extended their lead to 5-2 off RBIs from senior outfield James Taussig and freshman infielder Jordan Ballin. The ‘Runners sealed the victory with a four-run ninth inning.
Junior ace Zach Royse and sophomore stopper Robert Orloski took to the mound for UTSA and allowed zero runs in seven of the nine innings played.
Game two
Senior outfielder Mason Lytle opened game two with a bang — literally. The team’s leader in hits smashed a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning and set the tone for the rest of the game. Five different Roadrunners recorded RBIs in the team’s Saturday win, tying the ‘Runners’ highest run total of the season.
Senior pitcher Braylon Owens got the start on the bump for UTSA and earned his fifth win of the season.
This is the third consecutive week the Roadrunners have locked up a series win in the second game of a conference series.
Game three
After letting the sweep slip through their hands last weekend, the Roadrunners weren’t going to let it happen again. The Shockers took their first lead of the series in the opening inning before UTSA tied the game 1-1 with an RBI single from junior catcher Broc Parmer in the fourth. The ‘Runners teed off on Shockers’ starting pitcher Brady Hamilton in the sixth frame, increasing their lead by two runs. After a pitching change, the result remained the same. Freshman utility Caden Miller and Taussig tacked on two more runs on the Shockers’ reliever and exited the inning with a firm lead.
Senior pitcher Conor Myles enjoyed perhaps his best performance of the season, lasting a career-long seven innings on the mound. Junior pitcher Connor Kelley shut down Wichita State the rest of the way and secured the series sweep for UTSA.
It’s easy to get excited about the trajectory of this Roadrunner baseball club, considering the team’s RPI is the highest it has been in coach Pat Hallmark’s tenure. UTSA has beaten both good and bad teams; they’ve won at home and on the road. The pitching rotation is deep, with quality relievers on deck if teams are able to get past their starters. Oh, and the ‘Runners outfielders alone have registered 130 RBIs at the plate. The question that persists is if the team can continue their stellar play in postseason play. A conference championship has eluded the club despite quality regular-season records under Hallmark. Maybe 2025 is different, maybe it’s not, either way, Hallmark is trying to “live in the moment” and that entails focusing on whoever is up next on the schedule.
UTSA will host Tulane University for the team’s fifth conference series. Game one is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Roadrunner Field.
